Street-cleaner.



C. D. FAHRNEY.

STREET CLEANER. APPLGATION FILED Hmz, 1911.

Patented July 23, 19.12..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. D. FAHRNEY. STREET CLEANER.`

APPLICATION FILED FBB.2, 1911. y

' Patented July 23, 1912.

iirw V/ v/// h. K/

C. D. AFAHRNEY.

STREET CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED 1123.2, 1911.

Patented July 23, 1912.

s SHBETS-SHBET a.

'C/Mum of):

dust. dii't or other Tenir nemen.

GALLO D. EAHREY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCNSN.

STREET-CLEANER.

Snecicatiol of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 2, 1911.

fl .iii-l2?. itil.

Serial No. 606,145. l

lle it' known that l. Camo l). FAHRNEY, a eitizen o'l' the United States. 'and resident ot' .\Iil\vaul ee. in the eounty ot' Milwaukee :unl Htate ot \\'iseonsin. have invented eeriain new and useful Improvements in Street- ('le.-iners: and l do hereby declare that the 'tollowing is a full, clear, and exaet descripi'ioii tliereot.

A\l' v iiivent'ioi'i hasI 'for its object to provide a simple. etl'eetive and durable street eleaner, the eonstrnetionl and arrangement beingr vsueh that a suetion eliamber is formed between a t'orwai'd pliable roller and rear eylindrieal brush, the suction chamber being praetieallv elosed upon three sides, whereby foreign matter is drawn through the c vl'iiidrieal brush by a suitable .suetion pouver :ind collected in a settling elianiher.

Another objeet of in v invention is to provide means \\'liereby a maximum sut-tion is obtained iii proportion to the power applied. thisl advantageous-result being primarily aeeoniplished bv disposing the eylindrieal brush at. an :ingle to the surface to ivhieli it is applied. ThusI dust or dirt ilisplaeed hv the brush will. b v delleetion. he eaused to aeelunulat at one end ot' the siietion trough. ivliieli trough. :is shown. is ti-iainiilar iii elevation with the suetiou pipe, disposed at the base ot' said triangle. it bein;A understood that the flexible roller is a rranged parallel to the surtaee upon whieli it travelsy and noi-mall)y serves as a rolling,r ivall wherehv the t'ront ot' the suction elniiiiher is priietieally lieiiiietieally sealed.

\.nother objeet' ot my invention is to proyvide a simple and ell'eetive trap mechanism that is interposed within the suetion pipe ronduitwherebyY the t'oreign substanees upon a pav'elnent are eolleeted.

that may accumulate by which arrangement all foreign matter is trapped prior to i'eaebine' the tan. thus iiierasing the li't'e and ellieieuev ot the same.

Another objet-t ot' my invention is to provide a valve-eontrolled nozzle in connection with the exhaust ot the fan. whereby air may be disebarged if desired rearwardly f the evlindrieal brush to assist the same inpert'orming its cleaning functions; in which instaure a complete. circulation air can he maintained from the tan` through the brush and suction pipes back to' said fan.

dust 'or dirt and other j l In soine instances where the blast is employed and the conditions warrant the c lindrieal brush may be lifted entirely from the surface to be cleaned and the air eireulation in this ease depended upon entirely for cleaning purposes, but it is preferable to utilize the stitf bristles of the cylindrical brush to loosen the dirt in mostI cases where the blast is used, the said blast being relied upon solelyfor blowing the dust forwardly in the suction cleaner.

`Witli the above and other minor objects in view my invention consists in Certain peculiarities of construct-ion and combination ot' parts as hereinafter `fully forth with reference to the aecompiinying drawings and subsequently claimed.

In thealrawings` Figure 1 represents a lside elevation of a sti-eet sweeping vehicle embodying' the features of my invention with parts broken away and pai-ts in section more elearly illustrate striiet-ural fea tures: Fig. 2. a detailed plan view of the suet'ion trough and itsronii-eeted mechanism, with partsl broken away and parts in section to more elearly show eert'aiu struetural features; Fig. 3, a detailed. tace view otI the same looking toward the suetion side. thereot`. Fig'. 43. a transverse seetion of the suetion meeliauism. the section being taken through the' central portion ot' the suetion ehamber. Fig'. 5. a detailed elevation of a flexible roller employed in connection wit-l1 in v street eleaniue mechanism, the'elevation beingl partly broken awa.7 and in 'seetioii to more elearl)v show certain details` of eonstruetion. and Fig. (i, a cross-section of the same. the section being' indicated by liiie o o (it Fig. 5. y

Referring by characters to the drawings, l indicates the truek 'trame provided with the usual front and rear wheels Q. it being understood that said truck, it' desired, may be motor driven, although the same is illust-rated as being equipped as a draft vehicle.

Fulcrumed to the truck frame 1; are rack arms 3 3a, the free ends of 'which carry struts 4.-. into the forward ends-*of which struts are journaled the ends of a pliable roller :-whieli is adapted to impinge against the surface to be cleaned' and., owing to pressure upon said surface, the seid roller isv flattened atv itsv Contact poiniiavs-fshown, whereby an effective air seal atl-this is insured.' A shaft 6 is journaled vin the Patented July 23, MM2.'

ward in the direction indicated by the arrows into-the suction chamber and. owing to the angular disposition of the brush7 the said irt will accumulate in the wide end4 of said 5 chamber, the brush having a tendency to throw the dirt into the nient-h of the suctionshoe. The suction caused by the .tan will tuus ift theaceuiniilated dirt and other toieign matter from the shoe up through the. J0 suction-pipe 19 the saine being discharged into the trap. The Cyclonic action ot the air in vsaid trap will cause the dust or other foreign substance collected therein to settle or drop downward into a receiving hopperv 'i5 26, the inlet and discharge openings ot which hopper are provided with valves 27, 27, re- Spectively` By this arrangement, valve 27 being opened and the valve QT controlling -the discharge opening of the hopper being closed. the-dirt will be contined within said hoppeifand when it is desired to enipty the ,saine, at bag or other convenient receiver may be adjusted to the discharge mouth ot the receiving hopper and by Iirst closing valve Q7 and thereafter opening valve 27, the contents of the receiving hopper can be readily discharged into the bag,r without disturbing the action ot the air circulating system.

Referring toFig. 5 of the drawings. the

flexible roller 5 isiitorined as shown with a:

solid core 5 about which core is spirallv wound a pneumatic tube 5". which tube is intiated through a nipple 5. The coiled tube is covered with a flexibleffcliv'lindrical jacket 5 as shown. the 'jacket being secured to the ends ot the core 5. By thisI construction it will be seen that said rolleris provided with sutlicient resiliency. where-- by the weight exei'ted upon the saine will 40 cause it to tiatten incidental to its rotation upon the surface to be cleaned. and thus maintain a practically air-tight joint at this point.

Particular attention is called to the tact that the suction chamber is open at its rear end. wliei'ebv the dust anddirt 'treed by the brush may be drawn therethrough and delivered to the receiving hopper. the toi-ward 'all ot the suction chamber coniprising a tlexible rotary roller. whereby triction is eliminated aud a practically air-tight joint .insured Thus the forward tlexihle roller working in conjunction with the driven cy- -lindrical brush. the action ot' which throws the dirt forward into the suction chamber`v brush having one edge forming a tight jointy in connection with the adjacent roller edge, end closures for the housing whereby a chamber is formed, and a. suction-pipe connected to' the chamber.

2. A cleaner comprising a truck-supported forwardly disposed flexible roller. a driven cylindrical brush rearwardly ot the roller. a housing extending partly over the brush having one edge terminating adjacent to said roller, a rotary spindle interposed between the roller and adjacent edge oi the housing, whereby a tight joint is, toi-ined therebetween. closures t'or the'housing ends whereby a chamber is formed between the rolle' alidbrush, and a suction pipe in con.

nection with the chamber.

, 3. A cleaner comprising a truck-supportcd forwardly*disposed flexible roller. a driven cylindrical brush spaced rearwardly ot' the roller. struts connecting the brush and roller. a housing extending partly over vthe brush having one edge forming a tight joint in connection with the adjacent roller edge. whereby a chamber is formed between said brush and roller., a suction pipe in communication with tlie chamber. anda blast-pipe disposed rearwardly of the cylindrical brush.

. 4. A cleaner ci ii'ipi'isiiig a truck-supportcd forwardly disposed flexible roller. a trucksiipported driven cylindrical brush spaced rearwardly of theroller and yobliquely to the axis of the saine. a housing extending partly over the brush having one edge t'orming a tight joint in connection .with the adjacent roller edge, end closures tor the housing whereby a chamber is formed between the, roller` and brush. and a suction pipe in ccuiiniinication with that end of the chamber ot` greatest width.

5. A cleaner comprising a truclcsiipported forwardly disposed tiexiblc roller. a truck-siippoited driven `ylindrical brush disposed rearwardly ot' the roller and oblicliiely to thc axis thei'cot. a housing tor the brush terminating at a predctcrniined distance from the bottoni ot said brush. a tiiangularl \"-sliapcd cover-.board extending trom the housing. one edge ot' which tornis a tight joint in connection with the roller. the cover-board forming the top wall ot :i triangularly shaped suction chamber. aud a `suction pipe in connection with the `chainbeil located at the wide end ot the triangularly shaped cover-board,

G. cleaner comprising a truck-supported torw/ardly disposed flexible roller` a triu'k-supported driven cylindrical brush disposed rearwardly ox'tl the roller and ob.- liquely to the axis thcreot'. a housing tor the, brush terminating at a predeteiinined distance from the bottom ot eaid brush. a triangular-ly shaped cover-board extending ltroni the housing, one edge of which is llt) adapted to form a tight joint in connection with the roller, the cover-boardforming the top Wall of a triangulally shaped suction chamber, and a suction-shoe in yieldable connection with the wide end of 'the suction chamber.

7. A cleaner coinprisinga truck-supported forwardly disposed `Flexible roller, a truck-supported driven cylindrical brush disposed rearwardly ot the roller and obliquely to the axis thereof7 a housing1 for the brush terminatingr at a predetermined distance 'from the bottom of said brush7 a triangularly shaped cover-l oard extendingr from the housing' one edge of' which is adapted to .ifmfm a tight joint in connection with the roller, the coverboard forming the top wall oil a suction chamber, a suction-shoe in adjustable cngageinent with the Wide end of the triangularly shaped suction chamber, a suction pipe having one end in flexible connectionr with the suotion-shoe, `and a vacuum producing mechanism in connection with the opposite end ofthe suction pipe.

8.1i traveling chamber closed at its front end and sides and having an obliquely disposed open rear end, the front end or' the chamber bein# disposed at an approximately right angtle to the .direction oi' its travel, a rotary rush set .parallel with the oblique open rear end ot' the chamber and arranged to oppose the saine. means ior imparting rotary drive to the brush' in the same direction as that traveled by the cleaner and a vacuum producer in connection with *he long side of the cluunber.y the vacuum producer being provided with a suction mouth that is disposed transversely of the chamber.

9. A traveling cleaner comprising a chamber formed with a flexible iront wall and side closures and having an obliquely disposed open rear end, the front wall ol thi` chamber beingl disposed at an approxi-- mately right angie to the direction oi: its

travel, a brush set parallel with the oblique open rear end ot the' chamber and arranged to oppose same, whereby one end of said brush is advanced forwardly, and a suction shoe in eonununitaition with the long side ot' tho chan'ibei.'7 the suction shoe being provided with a suction mouth that is disposed transversely of said chamber.-

10. A traveling: cleaner comprising a chamber formed with a fiexible iront wall and side closures and havingr an obliquely disposed open 'r 1r end, the front wall ot the chamber being` disposed at an apipiroxiniately right; angle to the direction o t its travel. a brush set parallel with the oblique open rear end of the chamber and arranged to oppose samerwhei'eby one end of said brush is advancedforwardly; and a suction shoe in communicatioii with Jdie loup; side of the chamber.the suction shoe being provided Loss, ica

with a suction mouth that is disposed traneverscly ol' said chainbeli and having a gate controlled 'rear open end.

Y' l1. A. cleaner comprising a chamber -tmfmed with a Flexible front Wall and short and long side closures and having an obliquely disposed openY rear end, the front, wall of the chamber being disposed at an apinoxin'iately right angle to the direction olf its travel, a brush closure for the `rear oblique open end of the Chamber, a blast pipe having mouths arranged `respectively to discharge into the short side of the chamber and aga-inst the rear edge of the brush7 and a suction pipe having'its mouth in communication with the long side of the chamber, the suction and blast pipe connections with said chamber causing a cross current of air therethrough.

12. A cleaner comprising;` a chamber formed with a flexible front; wall and short and long side closures and havin(1f an obliquely. disposed open rear end,

t e front Wall of the chamber being disposed at an.

approximately right angle to the direction of its travel, a oblique open end of the chamber, a blast pi e having its discharge mouth disposed rearwardly of the brush whereby air is dise. charged upon the surface to be cleaned., ad; jacent to the point the brush engages said surface, and a suction shoe in Communication with the long side ot said chamber, the mouth of the suction shoe being disposed transversely of the aforesaid chamber, just forward of its brush closure. y

13. AA Vtraveling cleaner' comprising a; chamber formed with a fiexiblezfront, closure Wall and having an obliquely disposed ope-n" end, the front wall being disposed atan approximately right angle to the direction oit its travel, a rotary brush set parallel with the oblique open end of the chamber and arranged to oppose the saineL whereby one end ot`- the brush is in advance of the other end, means for imparting drive to the brush in the saine direction that traveled by the cleaner, a permanent closure Wall :for the narrow side of the chamber, and an oscillatory suction shoe titted to the long side or" the chamber constitutingl a closure ther-eier,` the suction shoe being provided with' a mouth disposed transversely of said Chamber, whereby' sweepings that are,de`iected into the long;l Aend of the aforesaidachamber are drawn througli saidsuction shoe. l

14. A traveling cleaner comprising a brush disposed at an angle to the direction of its travel, and a vacuum producer in juxtaposition to the following end ofthe brush whereby a pocket is formed at said end, the vacuum producer being provided with a suction mouth that is disposed transversely of the brush, whcrcb accumulated refuse at said -following en(Y brush closure for the rear lll() ot thebrush will flow tion with an obliquely disposed driven cylininto the mouthvof'the vacuum producer 'independentof suction force.

front closure,A a brush disposed rearwardl of the iront closure and at an angle to the`- direction of travel, an end slice extendi ,0;

' from 'the front closure 'to the following e i of the brush whereby a pocket is `formed at said end, and a suction pipe in eo1n1nunication with the shoe the shoe being provided with a suction mouth that is disposed transversely of the brush, whereby accumulatedA refuse at the following end of the .aforesaidl brush will flow into the shoe mouth l'independent of suction force. V f

- 1G. A rtraveling cleaner -comprising a chamber closed at its front end Iand h aving an obliquely disposed open rear end,'a brush set parallel with the oblique open' end of the chamber and arranged to opposeJ the same, a yieldable shoe having a mout-h in communication ivith the chamber at the following end of said brush, and a vacuum producer in eonimunlcatlon with the shoe. 17. In a traveling cleaner, the combinadrical sweeping element, of a forwardly moving oscillatory suction shoe of elongated con- I tour in horizontal cross section, the side Wall ot the shoe adjacent to the said brush being cut away to a predetermined extent to prop vide a lateral mouth adjacent to the surface 15. A cleaner comprising a yieldabler/fv to be cleaned, the, saine being adapted to receive the concentrated and agitated 'sweep-I ings from the said sweeping element, the

'said shoe having its outside wall exitending to the surface to 'be cleaned arid- .thereoy serving as a confining Wall for the agitated sweepings from the sweeping element vand as a runner for the suction shoe.

18. Av traveling cleaner comprising a chamber formed Withl a flexible front wall and having an obliquely disposed open rear end, a brush set parallel with the oblique open rear end of the chamber andarranged shoe in communication with the-lon`g side of the chamber, the suction shoe being pr o- -vided with a suction mouth that is disposed transversely of said chamber.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee 'in the county of Milwaukeefand State of Wisconsin in thepresence of two Witnesses. y GALLO FAHRNEY.

Nitnessesrl I' l MAY DOWNEY,

CAsANAvE YOUNG. 

